Former Rep. Forms Super PAC for Conservative Republicans

Former Rep. Jeff Landry has formed a super PAC to support hard-right conservatives in Congress, saying he wants to give them the same support that more mainstream Republicans get from other PACs.

Landry, a one-term Republican who lost his Louisiana seat due to redistricting last year, is starting the group Restore Our Republic, reports Politico. He will join forces with GOP strategist Nachama Soloveichik, who has worked as a senior aide for Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey and is a past spokesperson for the conservative Club for Growth.

“These super PACs are great avenues for candidates such as myself — such as I was back in 2012 — and gives them an added boost in a race when they are challenging more establishment Republicans or Democrats,” Landry said. “This super PAC is designed to protect, secure and advance conservative principles in the House of Representatives.”

Landry said launching the PAC doesn't mean he is out of politics. While he has been mentioned as a possible candidate to challenge incumbent Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu, he emphasizes the PAC is a long-term project.

Restore Our Republic hasn't yet endorsed any candidates, but Landry said the group will go after lawmakers who are not conservative enough, or who take sides against other national Republicans in open-seat primary elections.

“Incumbents who are out there who are conservatives will never have to worry about us,” Landry said. “And if you’re a Republican, you’re supposed to be conservative.”

Landry, while in Congress, was involved in the House Republicans' most confrontational wing, and was involved in attempts to make House Speaker John Boehner step down.

The former congressman lost his seat last year after redistricting put him up against fellow-Republican Charles Boustany, who easily beat him in a primary.

Landry raised $2.3 million for his own reelection battle, and says he's sure there is unclaimed money for a PAC that is aimed solely at the House.

“We’ve had a number of discussions with donors who have expressed a frustration with the lack of protecting conservatives in the House of Representatives, and so we feel like we’re going to give those donors a vehicle they can invest in,” he said.